The rigmarole, frills and fancies attendant to proposals and engagements were totally absent. The customs surrounding marriage proposals and engagements of nowadays are nonsensical and at variance as well as in conflict with the Sunnah.

At the time of marriage the age of Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiallahu anha) was fifteen and half years and that of Hadhrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) was twenty one years. After accepting Hadhrat Ali's (radiallahu anhu) proposal, Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) ordered Hadhrat Anas (radiallahu anhu), "O Anas, go and call Abu Bakr, Umar. Uthmaan, Talhaa, Zuhair and a group among the Ansaar."

It is clear from this example set by Rasulullah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) that the Nikah ceremony was being arranged with the greatest of simplicity and without any fanfare. No special gathering, venue, time, etc. was contemplated nor was any hue and cry raised about the Nikah which was about to be conducted. It is thus Sunnat to merely gather some close relatives and others, without creating a hubbub and proceed with the Nikah quietly and with dignity, i.e. without the accompaniment of the multitude of un-lslamic and haraam customs and activities so rife in Muslim marriages of the day.

The people sent for by Nabi-e-Kareem (sallalaahu alayhi wasallam) presented themselves and Rasululiah (sallaliaahu alayhi wasallam) recited a khutbah and performed the Nikah. From this example, it is clear that the most suitable person to perform the Nikah is the father of the bride.

The Mehr (dowry) was fixed at 400 mithqaal silver, which is equal to 49.213 7 troy ounces. This is now known as Mehr-e-Faatimi. It is therefore Sunnat to adopt the practice of Mehr-e-Faatimi.

After the Nikah, Rasulullah (sallaliaahu alayhi wasallam) sent Hadhrat Faatimah (radiallaahu anha) to Hadhrat Ali's (radiallahu anhu) home in the company of Hadhrat Umme Aiman (radiallahu anha). This was the simplicity which accompanied the departure of the Princess of both worlds, from her father's home to her new home. The nonsensical and un-Islamic customs of present-day marriages were totally non-existent. Hadhrat Ali (radiallahu anhu) thereafter fulfilled the Sunnat of the Walimah feast. This too was nothing lavish or sumptuous. Like every facet of Islamic life, the Walimah feast was likewise an embodiment of simplicity. The following were the foods served at the Walimah. Some corn-bread, some dates and some sweetmeats. Thus, the Sunnat method of the Walimah is to arrange the affair with simplicity. There should be no elaborate arrangements and customs. A few close relatives and friends should be called and whatever one can serve with ease and without any fuss, should be prepared. It is also Sunnat to include some poor persons at the Walimah.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that the best and most blessed Nikah is that which is the simplest.

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that the worst food is that Walimah where no poor persons partake.

The Jamiatul-Ulama Gauteng is not a fund raising organization.When depositiong funds,make us your unfettered “Wakeel”.If you are depositing Zakaat,do please ensure that a few extra Rands are deposited in order to offset bank charges.

In the morning alms are due for every bone in man's body. His salutation to everyone he meets is alms, his enjoining good is alms, his forbidding what is evil is alms, the removal of harmful thing from the way is alms, to have sexual intercourse with one's wife if alms, and two rak'ahs which one prays in the Duha serve instead of that.